The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) held its annual meeting in Orlando last week and presented ARDY Awards at a gala ceremony and dinner.

The awards honored the best and brightest in the vacation ownership industry, according to Howard Nusbaum, the president and CEO of ARDA. They also testify to the creativity of industry insiders who help make timeshares one of the favorite vacation options among Americans.

Some of the award categories included timeshare or mixed-use projects that are considered a success by investors, owners and the local community, philanthropic efforts for a humanitarian cause and achievements of women who excel and advance in the industry.

Among this year's honorees were the ShareForce workers of the Island One Foundation who were recognized in the outstanding community contributions category for their support of Habitat for Humanity.

Earlier this week, ARDA members elected Jim Lewis, president of Disney Vacation Club, a timeshare division of The Walt Disney Company, as their new chairman.

Lewis is currently overseeing Disney's launch of its latest timeshare offers, including Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Orlando that will open on August 4 and the Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, scheduled to welcome first guests on June 1.